Google is making inline links more prominent in AI responses

<figure> <img alt="" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="Image: The Verge" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/01/STK093_GOOGLE_D.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" /> <figcaption> </figcaption> </figure> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Google is updating its AI search results to make inline links appear "higher up in responses more frequently," <a href="https://blog.google/products-and-platforms/products/search/updates-ai-mode-overviews-explore-web/">according to a blog post</a>. The company's search results from AI Overviews and AI Mode give you answers in a customized view instead of the traditional list of links, but there are concerns that the format <a href="https://www.theverge.com/tech/790711/google-doj-ad-tech-remedies-wikihow-open-web">reduces traffic to publishers</a>. Google says it's been making "continued and substantial increases to the presence of inline links in our AI experiences," and this new change will help ensure "ensure key sources are easily clickable right when you need them."</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">The company is announcing several other changes to highlight links an …</p> <p><a href="https://www.theverge.com/tech/1012206/google-ai-mode-overview-inline-links">Read the full story at The Verge.</a></p>